How to Do an Aerial Off the Lip on a Windsurf Board
Doing an aerial off the lip is the most difficult step in windsurfing, but surfers who do it perfectly well probably enjoy it more than show-off of their other skills. An aerial off the lip requires technique, balance, rhythm and quickly and effectively deciding of the ramp from which a surfer takes off to complete the aerial. An expert surfer can do it as many times effectively as many times they try, although failure chances are always there because of frequent changes in the waves level and air. It nevertheless has a great sense of achievement for a surfer.
Instructions
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1
First of all you will need a lot of practice to do an aerial off the lip on a windsurf board, just like a skateboard jump needs. For example, landing a good aerial, finding a ramp or lip point effectively, how to increase speed before taking-off and so on so forth. Without practice it will be very difficult for you because you cannot coordinate all these steps effectively well. Even an experienced surfer cannot do an aerial without proper practice.
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2
Learn the technique how you can increase the speed just before doing an aerial, because speed is the key to land an aerial successfully. If there is no speed you cannot jump. Also, without practice you cannot learn how to increase your speed before doing an aerial. If you watch videos of doing aerial, you will know the position a surfer takes just before adding up the speed.
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3
After you get up the speed, your next immediate step is to find a ramp or launching pad. It depends on your technique and judgement, and also how you are able to exploit the air after that. The height of wave is not necessarily as essential as your judgement and skill for taking off at the right point and at the right time. Again, a lot of practice can help you better equip yourself with skills for finding a ramp and taking off effectively.
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4
While approaching the lip change your stance to be more wider and focus your eyes on the launch. Also, approaching the lip horizontally can help you in your stance for the take-off, and can push up your speed just before the take-off. At the end use your lift up stance to come out of the water into the air. Make sure you maintain balance on the board and do not change your stance too much that the board falls off under your feet.
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5
Soon after you are airborne, look back down on the wave and determine your landing position. Generally the area where water generates a lot of foam is the softest place for landing. Also make sure you stay balanced on the board, bend your knees to absorb the impact of landing and stay low. Soon after landing on the foams, surf out of the water further to complete the stance.
